Using Technology to Create a Collaborative Training Environment at a Distance

Dilemma:  how does the Instructional Designer accommodate staff who are spread out through many locations and are unable to come together for meetings, collaboration and document sharing?  Which technology tools will work best to enhance training workshops?  Tools that are highly participatory and promote collaboration, networking, and sharing have extraordinary potential for education and learner-engaging functions (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012, p. 129).

In the organization for which I am a training specialist in the Education Department, we utilize WebEx meetings for staff who cannot attend an onsite meeting.  This tool allows participants to enter the meeting and provide feedback to a presentation or discussion that is occurring onsite.  All that is required for the participant is a computer with web access, as well as a phone by which to interact in the meeting.  The meeting documents are shared, and the meetings are recorded for those who are unable to ‘be present’ in real time.   

One challenge that can be met with a different tool is the participants’ sharing of documents and screen shots with one another.  All of the staff can create an account with Dropbox to submit and review each others’ material.  I have found Dropbox to be useful in various committee work as well as church service planning. 

Beldarrain indicates that technology enables learners to access education at any time and from any place (2006, p. 139).  There is especially a need in the workplace to allow individuals to collaborate within time and place constraints.  This is a need that can be met by tools that create a learning community where members can build expertise, develop problem-solving skills, and foster a sense of connectedness between the members of a group (p. 150).

References: 

Beldarrain, Y. (2006). Distance education trends: Integrating new technologies to foster student interaction and collaboration. Distance Education, 27(2),139–153.

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.